Solar Panel Positioning

Does anybody know if there are quidelines on positioning Solar Panels.

Our neighbour (holiday home) wants to heat his pool all year round even when he's not here, but is complaining how much it is costing him.... don't ask I can't get my head round that. I suggested a pool cover and he said "they are ugly and he doesn't want to look at that from his villa, I suggested switching off heating the pool whilst not here and nope doesn't want to do that either, incase he comes over unexpectedly and wants to swim!!.
So his latest idea is 20 (rather large) solar panels running along the top wall opposite our bedroom balcony, so all we will see is a bank of solar panels from bedroom window/balcony. When I asked him would he like to see that from his bedroom he said "no, the less I can see of them the better" as he thinks they are unsightly.... yes really... and then he quotes the cost per kw of his electricity blah blah.

I know its his property and I have no right to tell him what to do I completely understand that, but after an hour last night of politely suggesting different options of where to put the panels it kept coming back to the same thing the less he can see of them the better, which unfortunately for us means thats all we will see, no compromise from him at all at this stage.
So are there any regulations, (other than making sure they face the sun for optimum performance) where he might, just might have to consider his neighbours. He is a stand alone villa, so no community involvement.

I know that I can't interfere with his position choice, but does anybody on this forum know differently... fingers crossed, especially as he is adamant he does not want to see them.

We already deal, with gritted teeth, the untidy conifers that he only trims on his side (the bit he can see) and have accepted that,so we have to deal with a huge run of conifers that we trim back on our side, which he doesn't think we should do as they are his conifers, and now this.

Please no troll answers, no "his property he can do what he likes", no "if you don't like it move" answers, I know all that, I'm not trying to be difficult just any suggestions from others that I might've missed.

It's been a long time since I installed pool heating systems, but if you don't use a very good quality cover, then you are wasting your time and money, although you neighbour would appear to have more money than sense.

Once you move away from installing panels due south, the panel efficiency drops for every degree you move towards east or west, also they should be installed in relation to the height and track of the winter sun, not the summer sun. No respectable solar company will guarantee all year round swimming.

Never had to get permission for an installation, but maybe now!! it could be necessary to have a works licence from the town hall, I don't know, but I would certainly talk to your town hall about the installation anyway, what have you got to lose.

I'd be surprised if a solar panel array would provide sufficient energy to heat a pool during winter without additional grid energy.

You are absolutely right, as a rule you can only extend the swimming season by about 4/5 weeks max, that's at both the beginning and the end of summer, but to get that you must use a cover.
There are also many variables like where the pool is situated, how sheltered it is, also the type of panels used, the black flat plate panels would struggle between November and April, to stand any chance you would need to use a vacuum tube system.

Thank you for information Adey/Sage, clearly my neighbour hasn't done his homework. I will mention to him your comments and hope and pray he doesn't decide to put 40 panels up instead of 20 to see if that will solve his problem

I never understand why neighbours don't discuss things like this with their neighbours, it makes life so much easier (I've found anyway).

Because most neighbours , are self self,self and there's no talking to some off them , as they think they know it all and are better than you if they have more money,
Thats my findings anyway.

I don't know where your property is, but look into the matter. You cannot just position them because you don't like the look of them. There are regulations. We have just been through exactly the same with our Dutch neighbours in Benijofar. We've asked them politely to consider moving them elsewhere. We had the same response as you as regards they are ugly and don't want to see them. We have been to the town hall and the Police came to visit to see the problem. They told them they cannot just position them where they want if it affects neighbours. To which they replied ' but in Holland we can do this '. We're in Spain, not Holland they were told. We get glare from the panels and have to have our shutters down to avoid it. ( Pictures enclosed ). We have hospital proof of damage to my wife's eyesight due to the glare. These people are nothing but selfish individuals who think of nothing but themselves. Do not accept this and take the matter further. Go to the town hall and denounce them to the Police if they go ahead.

I wouldn't worry too much, once he gets a quote or two and realises the scale and cost of what he proposes he'll soon drop the idea!

Depending on pool size and target temperature you could easily be looking at 300kWh worth of electricity to achieve the goal and without a top notch cover perhaps half or 2/3rd's as much per day to maintain it, that's an industrial sized solar system!

Omg Paul Figg that is awful, why are people so selfish. That sun glare looks dreadful for you.
As the authorities were involved did they have to move them?
I really feel for you. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, think I'm in for the long haul.
My neighbour is putting them on a 45° angle as well.